After hearing the weather report the night before, it would have been easy to switch the alarm off and go back to sleep. But that’s not what keen WOPpers do, so off we went, travelling up with Elizabeth our leader to Mahurangi, on what looked like a cold, windy, wet day. No traffic, everyone stayed home: great, we were up there in no time. 7 hardy souls set off to explore the southern end of this stunning Regional Park. We were going to be going around the rocks but the tide was still very high so up the first hill we went, up and over and down to Te Muri beach, crossing the estuary and a quick look at the pioneer cemetery, then onto the Te Muri campsite for morning tea. At this stage it looked like we were in for a shower but no, it moved away. Up the hill and a walk out to Cudlip Point, unfortunately all overgrown as there has been a slip in the past and the track is disused now. 11.30 am and our first shower of rain but all over in half an hour. On we went, stopping for lunch at Puhoi Cottage, situated on the side of Puhoi River mouth, overlooking the river and Wenderholm, a nice place to stop for lunch. From here we followed the new purple track along a farm track alongside the Puhoi River before doubling back through a bush block until you meet the road. Up the hill, and down, down, down, back to Te Muri stream, across the estuary and a good uphill before we descended back to the cars. 

A lovely small group who thoroughly enjoyed their day and were happy we made the effort to get out with such a disappointing forecast. And boy, have we got some new keen Woppers out of the latest course, some walking three days a week! You go, girls! 

Thank you, Elizabeth, for a fun day. 

Carol W. 

To see Carol’s photos, click here